Language and Style

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Chapter 12

• Language and Style

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Language and style introduction

• Word choice can make things clear and memorable
  if well chosen.
• Even though Martin Luther Kings speech had no
  official title, we all think of it as I have a
  dream because his word choice was so memorable.
• Speakers can also confuse some listeners through
  unconsidered word choice.

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Language and styleAn overview

• Language and style deals with
• The importance of language and word choice
• Differences between oral and written language
• Denotative and connotative meaning
• Presenting your message clearly
• Expressing your ideas effectively
• Choosing respectful and unbiased language

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The importance of language and word choice

• Words convey ethos to listeners.
• Using language appropriately can give your
  credibility a boost.

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The importance of language and word choice

• Words can have positive effects.
• They can enhance credibility.
• They can clarify your message.

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The importance of language and word choice

• Words can have negative effects
• They can confuse.
• They can hurt.

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Differences between oral and written language

• Oral language is more adaptive.
• Writers do not get immediate feedback from a live
  audience.
• Speakers can respond as they receive feedback.

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Differences between oral and written language

• Oral language tends to be less formal.
• Written language lends itself to precise word
  choice and formal grammar.
• Spoken language lends itself to a simpler, more
  conversational tone.

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Differences between oral and written language

• Oral language incorporates repetition.
• Writing teachers advise students to avoid
  redundancy.
• Listeners can't go back and revisit points in a
  speech, therefore, repetition is a useful tool.

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Denotative and connotative meaning

• Denotative meaning is an exact, literal
  dictionary definition.

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Denotative and connotative meaning

• Connotative meanings are the various associations
  that come to mind when we hear or read a word.

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Tips for denotative and connotative meaning

• Tip Using a word without considering its
  multiple meanings can backfire and confuse.
• Tip Be sure to consider your audiences
  connotations for important words.

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Presenting your message clearly Understandable
language

• Use language your listeners recognize.
• Analyze your audience to determine appropriate
  word choice.
• Avoid technical terms and specialized jargon.
• If you can say something in plain language, do
  so.
• If you do use jargon, explain it.

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Presenting your message clearly Concrete words

• Choose words that are specific.
• Abstract words that are general can confuse.
• Use abstract words to give the big picture.

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Concrete wordsv. abstract words
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Presenting your message clearlyProper use of
words

• Using incorrect terms (like recession instead
  of Depression)
• undermines clarity and credibility
• can create unintended humorous consequences

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Use proper words
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Presenting your message clearly Concise language

• Be concise.
• Long sentences may be clear in print, but
  listeners only get one chance to hear spoken
  words.

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Presenting your message clearlyConcise language

• Avoid verbal clutter, extraneous words that
  confuse your audience.
• Example
• Cluttered Regardless of the fact that you
  disagree with the governments position, you
  cannot dispute the FCCs ruling.
• Uncluttered Although you disagree with the
  governments position, you cannot dispute the
  FCCs ruling.

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Expressing your ideas effectivelyRepetition

• Repeating a word or phrase can draw listeners'
  attention and leave lasting memories.
• Repeating words later in speech can remind the
  audience of previous points.
• Rewording potentially confusing passages is a
  form of repetition.

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Expressing your ideas effectivelyRepetition
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Expressing your ideas effectively Hypothetical
Examples

• Imagined scenarios that help listeners follow
  complicated points such as policy statements

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Expressing your ideas effectively Personal
anecdotes

• Personal stories build credibility and reassure
  listeners you are not judging them.
• show that you take a subject seriously
• can help avoid causing offense on sensitive
  subjects

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Expressing your ideas effectively Vivid language

• Vivid language grabs attention by appealing to
  the five senses.
• Stronger imagery creates deeper impressions on an
  audience.
• Overuse of vivid language may diminish
  effectiveness.

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Expressing your ideas effectivelySimiles and
metaphors

• Suggest similarities between objects that are not
  alike.
• Similes make explicit comparisons with like or
  as.
• Example After bumping her head, she fell like a
  tree.
• Metaphors are implicit comparisons.
• Example Her life was a journey along a path
  filled with obstacles.

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Tips for using similes and metaphors

• Tip Be sure the comparison makes sense.
• Tip Avoid mixing comparisons.

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Choosing respectful and unbiased language

• Avoid negative stereotypes
• Use gender-neutral references
• Make appropriate references to ethnic groups
• Steer clear of unnecessary references to ethnicity

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Tips for choosing respectful and unbiased language

• Tip Questions of political correctness are
  controversial, so use caution when using them.
• Tip A speaker's task to is connect with (and not
  offend) the largest possible audience.